Revelation 3:19
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.
Nowadays, people tend to interpret the love of God in terms of whether they are told what they want to hear rather than what they need to hear. We all want to be told how awesome we are, the blessings coming our way, and other pleasant things.
Have you ever considered that sometimes the greatest evidence of God’s love is rebuke? Doesn’t Scripture say ‘a wound from a friend is better than a kiss from an enemy’? For instance, when people attend church or a conference, when do they say it was great? In my experience, people tend to conclude that church is awesome when the messages boosted our egos and made us feel good about ourselves. Many of us resent rebuke. Many of us can’t stand correction. Yet that’s the true evidence of God’s love and discipline for us.
Observe that the word “discipline” here denotes spiritual training with a view to make us improve. Please understand that the nature and purpose of biblical training is never punitive or sadistic but is always the Father’s aim to help us to improve and grow.
Let us have a different mindset beloveds. Let us be mature believers who celebrate correction and shun flattery. Let us rejoice when we hear a message that seeks to improve us rather than patting us on the back. Let the word of God reprove you. Then it will greatly improve you.
The goal is to make you better, never bitter. GOD bless you!
Pastor Josh